Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: experience in Benghazi, Libya

ABSTRACT

We conducted a study of 40 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who were diagnosed over ten-year period at 7th april hospital, Benghazi, libya. There were 26 males [65%] and 14 females [35%]. Their mean age was 61.9years. the majority of patients presented with lymphadenopathy, anaemia, spleen or liver enlargement. Skin involvement, petechial haemorrhage were seen in a small proportion only. Disease was more advanced in 50% of cases at the time of diagnosis [Rai stage III and IV]. In fifteen patients there was no follow up, in 13 patients there was irregular follow up and the rest of the patients were regularly followed up. Seventeen patients were given chlorambucil and prednisolone. Seven patients received only chlorambucil and six patients received only prednisolone. Response to therapy was good in mild cases. Among the regular follow up cases, 4 patients died and pneumonia was the cause of death in 3 of them